Cobra Snake Blood Is On The Menu For US Troops Training In The Thai Jungle

DVIDSNinety miles south of the bustling streets of Bangkok, U.S. troops trained with their counterparts in the Thai military this Feb ruary, learning the ropes of jungle survival with surprising — and often nasty results.

It's all part of an annual exercise called "Cobra Gold," with over 13,000 military personnel in attendance. Troops train in infantry tactics, share medical advice, and figure out the best way to stay alive in the middle of the jungle.

That includes everything from scavenging for insects to eat, finding water, avoiding poisonous snakes — and sometimes snacking on them.

"Fighting to survive in the jungle is like every other battle; it is first lost or won in the mind," Army Sgt. Daniel Hernandez told Jose Lujano. "Survivors find ways to keep their spirits up and never let the situation beat them."

But the real crowd pleaser was the king cobra, with instructors teaching how to capture, handle, and eventually drink the blood — which can actually provide much needed hydration and nutrients if they ended up lost.

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The exercise helps troops from both nations learn to work together through different scenarios.